"We think that North Korea could do new nuclear tests to rehabilitate its reputation after the unsuccessful Friday experiment," said Japan's vice-Minister of Defense Shu Watanabe, as quoted by ITAR-TASS.

He clarified that the probability for such turn of events might not be all that great, but that his country is closely monitoring North Korean actions.

Watanabe however warned of a general heightening of tensions in the region following Friday's launch.

"Tensions on the Korean peninsula could grow if the North tries to prevent the Republic of Korea to gather the parts of the missile from the sea," said the Japanese vice-minister.